Seizures Flashcards
What is the chronic disorder characterized by recurrent, unprovoked seizures secondary to a CNS disorder?
Epilepsy
What can trigger a seizure?
Environmental or physiological stimuli or infection
What is the term used to describe abnormal excessive electrical discharges from the cortical neuronal network of cells on the surface of the brain and may cause involuntary movement or behavior/sensory changes?
Seizures
What do chemical changes in the neurons create that enables the transfer of info b/t neurons?
Electrical negativity
What increases during a seizure?
BMR, demand for O2 and glucose
What can occur during a seizure that can be life-threatening and causes the pt. to look pale/cyanotic and/or hypoglycemic?
Hypoxia
SGA, prematurity, presence of underlying neurological conditions, infections, brain tumors, stroke, cerebral palsy, autism, and fam history of drug abuse are all what?
Risk factors
What are some seizures precaution measures taken?
Pads on bed, low stimuli room, O2/suction available
What are key questions to ask about a pt’s seizures?
What type, aura, DURATION, description of seizure-LOC/motor activity, meds and how they appear after-physical/neuro exam
Seizure action plan?
Maintain pt. safety, position on side, call for help, observe/reassess, monitor O2 sat, HR and RR, and protect from self-harm
What are generalized seizures that result in a rise in temp above 39C and is associated w/ acute illness?
Febrile seizures
What ages do febrile seizures usually occur at?
3mon-5yrs (peak b/t 17-24mon)
True or false.
If a pt. has 1 febrile seizure are 30-50% greater chance of having future seizures.
True
Are febrile seizures treated w/ antiepileptics?
No, treat fever instead w/ antipyretics
What type of seizure is caused by abnormal electrical activity in 1 hemisphere or specific area of the cerebral cortex, most often the temporal, frontal or parietal lobes?
Focal seizures (partial seizures)
What type of seizure results from diffuse electrical activity that often begins in both hemispheres of the brain simultaneously and spreads t/o the cortex into the brainstem?
Generalized seizures
What type of focal type seizures involves activation of only a restricted part of 1 cerebral hemispheres?
Simple/complex partial seizures
What type of generalized seizure involves both hemispheres as well as deeper structures like the thalamus, basal ganglia?
Absent seizures (Petite mal)
Minimizing/maintaining triggers like flashing lights, strong odors, fatigue, hypoglycemia, fever, alcohol, hyperventilation, diet, exercise and/or rest are all what?
Preventions
What is continuous seizure activity w/ only very short periods of calm b/t intense and persistent seizures and usually occurs w/ generalized tonic-clonic seizures?
Status epilepticus
What generalized type of seizures are most common in children, have a warning aura before the seizure and have a sudden loss of consciousness?
Tonic Clonic seizures
What type of seizure has no alteration in LOC, typically only affects motor portion of cortex, if sensory involved has abnormal sensations/hallucinations, has a disruption in autonomic nervous system (flushing, HTN, hypotension, or tachycardia) and psychic symptoms like Deja Vu or inappropriate fear?
Simple partial seizures
What type of seizure impairs LOC, has a sudden brief cessation of motor activity, blank stare, or unresponsiveness?
Absent seizures (Petite mal)
What type of seizures has impaired consciousness that lasts for several hours, exhibits repetitive, non purposeful activity like lip smacking or picking @ things, and amnesia is common to occur after? (usually in temporal lobe)
Complex partial seizures